In today’s blog post you can read more about the talented and dedicated band teachers who directed their students in this year’s New Year’s Day Rose Parade.
With appearances at five Disney theme parks and on five continents, the Pennsbury High School “Long Orange Line” Marching Band (above) hails from Fairless Hills, Pensylvania. The group was led by Band Director Mr. Frank Mazzeo. Frank earned his bachelors’s degree in music education from West Chester University and his master’s degree in music performance from Temple University. He has been a teacher in the Pennsbury School District since 1986. While there, he has implemented a 4-12 curriculum, initiated such programs as Pennsbury Community Band, the Symphonic Winds Soloist Competition, the Pennsbury Bands Festival at the Kimmel Center and Trenton War Memorial, the All Pennsbury Elementary Festival, the Pennsbury Middle School Honors Festival, the Pennsbury Summer Music Program, the Pennsbury Symphonic Orchestra, and the Pennsbury Symphony Orchestra.
Also traveling to Pasadena to appear in this year’s event was the Ronald Reagan High School Band (above) from San Antonio, Texas, led by Band Director Mr. Dan Morrison. Dan graduated from the University of Illinois with both his bachelor’s and a master’s degree in music education. Impressively, he has garnered the Daniel J. Perrino School of Music Award for excellence in music education. The 300-member group from Reagan High School includes performing arts students pulled from color guard, choir, and dance classes, and outstanding musicians playing brass, woodwind, percussion, and orchestral instruments.
Making another appearance in this year’s Rose Parade was made by the Bands of Santiago Sharks (“BOSS”) (above) of Santiago High School, hailing from Corona, California. Two dedicated educators share the task of directing this impressive group. The first is Mr. Kris Parish. Kris earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Oral Roberts University in 1980, and his master’s in secondary education from California State University, San Bernardino, in 1985. Mr. Parish has served his entire 38-year teaching career in the Corona-Norco Unified School District. The other co-director is Mr. Joe Dudek. Joe graduated from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. He returned to CSUF to complete his master’s degree in instrumental music conducting in 1996. The BOSS is comprised of four large concert bands, three full jazz bands, a number of jazz combos and chamber ensembles, a drum-line, and an award-winning color guard.
Hailing from Saratoga Springs, Utah, was the Westlake High School Marching Thunder (above). This group was led by Mr. Brek Mangelson, Director of Bands. Brek Mr. Mangelson earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Brigham Young University in 2006. In 2015, he completed the requirements for his master’s degree in instrumental conducting from the University of Utah. Westlake’s band was founded with just 40 members in 2009. This talented group has grown to over 170 members today. The Westlake Band is a two-time Utah State Marching Band Champion, and has been named a Bands of America regional finalist six times, while their color guard currently reigns as Utah Winter Guard State Champions.
Learn more about all the wonderful performers, participants, and floats, featured in this year’s Rose Parade at this link: Rose Parade 2018 Lineup.
